The following seven secrets have worked very well for over 22 years in my marriage and for many other couples too. Follow them, adapt them to work in your own marriage, and you'll be on your way to having what we all want -- a happy marriage!
Communicate
Meet each other’s needs
Learn to resolve conflicts
Grow with each other
Agree on money matters
Love and respect
Maintain a commitment to the marriage
Meet each other’s needs
Marriage can be demanding and sometimes frustrating. At times, you may find yourself not being courteous to each other, stop seeing each other as important and will begin putting other things, like work, hobbies or the children, before the marriage.
Successful couples; however, always keep the needs of their partner first. To keep the marriage on track, make an effort not to take each other for granted and remember how lucky you are to be married.
The secret inside the secret of meeting each other’s needs is the real nugget to discover. Simply put, if you focus exclusively on meeting the needs of your spouse, and not your own, you will be rewarded with having your needs met. To do this, you must trust your spouse and have confidence that your partner is capable of meeting your needs.
More importantly, however, to realize this inner secret will take courage on your part. You must learn to surrender your doubts and insecurities and take a big step outside of your comfort zone. Acknowledge the fear, but remain determined to keep forging ahead.
The dilemma that many people face will this approach is the fear that if they stop asking for their needs to be met, then their needs will stop being met by their spouse. The reality is that the opposite couldn’t be truer.
Take a step back for a moment and examine your marriage. Forget what you need, or want, and focus on the expressed needs of your husband or wife. Make an honest assessment if you are doing everything (within reason) to meet those needs. If not, then perhaps you will realize your own needs are not being met either – there is a direct correlation between these two events.
Walk through the doubt, leave your needs there, and begin to focus on your partner. Growth for the marriage, and for you, lives on the other side.
Next: Secret three of a happy marriage: Learn to resolve conflicts
Alex Blackwell is the author of The Next 45 Years - a website dedicated to sharing and creating happiness, life balance and success for the rest of our lives. To read more inspirational stories and articles, please visit:
http://www.thenext45years.blogspot.com